Engineered Bacterial Membrane Nanovesicles Enable Precise Immuno-Chemotherapy of Colorectal Cancer

Researchers at Tongji University School of Medicine in Shanghai, People's Republic of China, have made a significant breakthrough in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) by harnessing the symbiotic relationship between bacteria and CRC. The study, published in the Journal of Controlled Release, reveals that engineered tumor-symbiotic bacterial membrane nanovesicles (ab-FMNVs) can precisely deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to CRC, minimizing side effects and enhancing treatment efficacy.

Key Takeaways:

• The researchers engineered Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) with anchored PD-L1 antibody (aPD-L1), creating bacterial membrane nanovesicles (ab-FMNVs) capable of targeting CRC through the specific membrane protein FadA-mediated pathway.
• The ab-FMNVs were designed to release chemotherapeutic drugs, such as doxorubicin, to synergistically inhibit tumor cell proliferation and metastasis.
• The engineered nanovesicles demonstrated superior antitumor efficacy in a CRC-bearing mouse model, with increased tumor accumulation and no side effects.
• This innovative approach holds promise for precision cancer therapies by harnessing the symbiotic relationship between bacteria and CRC, allowing for precise delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs and modulation of the PD-L1 immune checkpoint pathway.

Statistics:

• The study used CT26 cells to evaluate the internalization of ab-FMNVs and the release of doxorubicin.
• The ab-FMNVs demonstrated a specific membrane protein FadA-mediated pathway for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs.
• The study showed that the doxorubicin-loaded ab-FMNVs increased tumor accumulation by 30% compared to free doxorubicin.
• The engineered nanovesicles demonstrated superior antitumor efficacy, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation by 40% and tumor metastasis by 55%.

Sources:

• Engineered tumor-symbiotic bacterial membrane nanovesicles enable precise immuno-chemotherapy of colorectal cancer. Journal of Controlled Release, 2025;388:114291.
• Tongji University School of Medicine, Dept. of Functional Intestinal Diseases, General Surgery of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China.
• Elsevier, Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Journal of Controlled Release - www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-controlled-release/)
• NewsRx. New Findings from Tongji University School of Medicine in the Area of Colon Cancer Reported (Engineered tumor-symbiotic bacterial membrane nanovesicles enable precise immuno-chemotherapy of colorectal cancer). Cancer Weekly. October 21, 2025; p 2222.